Pino Archives

Historical Romance Review: Pirate’s Wild Paradise by Kate Douglas

May 9, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Pirate’s Wild Paradise a standalone Zebra romance from February 1989 by Kate Douglas. The book starts in Port Royale, Jamaica, with the heroine about to get married. However, her ceremony is interrupted by our hero and Jamie’s former lover. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: The Silver Link by Patricia Potter

April 16, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Harlequin Historical #63 In Patricia Potter's The Silver Link, Antonia and Tristan are from two different worlds, but their love unites them in a link that can never be severed Read more

4 stars, Book Review, Harlequin, Harlequin Historical, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Pino, year 1990

Historical Romance Review: Dakota Flame by Sonya T. Pelton

April 6, 2022May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Dakota Flame, a standalone novel from July 1989 by Sonya T. Pelton. (Published by Zebra/Kensington). The book begins in Mankato, Minnesota, December 1862. 2.52 stars Read more

2 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Captive Angel by Deana James

February 24, 2022May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader 3 Comments

Deana James' romance Captive Angel was an emotional, turbulent Zebra Lovegram romance with a heroine who was forged in fire and a hero not worthy to lick her boots. One of the best non-romance romances 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Book Review, Deana James, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, year 1988, Zebra Historical Romance

Covers of the Week #42

January 23, 2022January 23, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

This Covers of the Week for Monday, January 24, 2022, to Sunday, January 30 displays pretty historical romance covers with couples in a clinch pose and heroines losing their tops and having a grand ole time of it. Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week, Gregg Gulbronson, Pino

Covers of the Week #40

January 8, 2022January 16, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

For the week of Monday, January 10, 2022, to Sunday, January 16, 2022, our latest Covers of the Week highlights romances set in the Middle East. Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week, Elaine Duillo, Pino, Tom Hall

A Closer Look At Pino

December 24, 2021March 28, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

Giuseppi Dangelico Daeni, better known as Pino Daeni--or simply Pino--was a romance industry icon who created over 3,000 book covers in about 15 years. He spent almost the last twenty years of his life working as a fine artist of great acclaim. More than a mere illustrator, Pino is celebrated as a master painter of the 20th century. Read more

Cover Artists, Discussion, Pino, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Midnight Princess by Jo Goodman

December 20, 2021May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon No Comments

This review is of Midnight Princess, book #1 in the “Marshall Brothers” series by Jo Goodman, a pseudonym used by Joanne Dobrzanski. Published by Zebra/Kensington, November 1989, the book was later reissued as Her Defiant Heart. This review is of the original print book. 4.14 stars Read more

4 stars and a half, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, Zebra Lovegram

Covers of the Week #32

November 14, 2021January 12, 2022 jacquelinediaz No Comments

The Regency era is the most popular setting in historicals. For the week of Monday, November 15, to Sunday, November 21, 2021, our theme for the covers of the week is Regency romances. Enjoy! Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week, Pino, Walter Popp

Historical Romance Review: Crimson Obsession by Deana James

November 11, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

I've read about half of the romances Deana James published and I must say Crimson Obsession is probably my least favorite of her works. It's not a bad romance, but it pales in comparison to her other books. Due to my high expectations of James' writing, Crimson Obsession was a bit of a disappointment, although if penned by another author, I daresay I might not have been so critical. 3 & 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Deana James, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Paradise and More by Shirl Henke

October 30, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader 3 Comments

Paradise & More by Shirl Henke is memorable to me for having one of the most eye-catching covers in romance. A dazzling beauty by Pino Daeni, it features a fully naked couple in a glorious clinch, their nudity covered by some strategically placed flowers and the book's title. Lamentably, I have a later reissue, the stepback version, where their nakedness is hidden under a respectable-looking cover. This is the first book in the House of Torres duo that takes place in late 1400s Spain. 3 & 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Dorchester, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Leisure, Pino, Romance

Covers of the Week #26

October 3, 2021January 12, 2022 jacquelinediaz 1 Comment

We had a lot of fun a couple of months back doing Covers of the Week #12, where we posted images of when romance covers by talented artists go hilariously bad. So we’re doing it again! For the week of Monday, October 4 to Sunday, October 10, 2021 (which happens to be my birthday week), enjoy these silly or awful-looking covers that make us smile. Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week, Pino, Romance

Covers of the Week #22

September 5, 2021January 12, 2022 jacquelinediaz 2 Comments

For the week of Monday, September 6, 2021, to Sunday, September 12, we're looking at gorgeous category romance covers painted by some of the greatest artists of romance novels. Below are a few category romances illustrated by the legendary Elaine Duillo, Robert Maguire, Elaine Gignilliat, and Pino. Enjoy! Read more

Category romance, Cover Artists, Covers of the Week, Elaine Duillo, Elaine Gignilliat, Pino, Romance

Covers of the Week #20

August 23, 2021February 27, 2022 jacquelinediaz 5 Comments

The power of love is as old as the Earth and as constant as the four seasons. To live is to love! At Sweet Savage Flame, romance is in the air all year long. So to celebrate, from Monday, August 23, 2021, to Sunday, August 29, our 20th edition of Covers of the Week highlights four beautiful romance covers set during Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week, Pino, Ray Kursar

Historical Romance Review: Rangoon by Christine Monson

August 22, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader No Comments

Christine Monson was best known for her infamous, shocking bodice-ripper Stormfire, which is legendary for the protagonists' extremely abusive revenge-based romance. Her second book Rangoon significantly turns down the crazy factor, but still retains the sensitive writing that made Stormfire so haunting and memorable. 3 1/2 stars Read more

3 stars and a half, Avon, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Christine Monson, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Pino, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Midnight Captive by Penelope Neri

July 11, 2021May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon 3 Comments

This review is of Midnight Captive, a standalone Zebra historical romance from March 1989 by Penelope Neri. The book begins ominously. A man finds a cache of gold and wishes everything he touches would turn into it. 5 stars Read more

5 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, year 1989, Zebra Historical Romance

Historical Romance Review: Texas Storm by Deana James

July 1, 2021May 21, 2022 IntrovertReader 3 Comments

It's the mid-1830's and Scottish immigrant Reiver MacPherson has been granted lands by the new Texas government...So begins Deana James' Texas Storm. Read more

3 stars and a half, Book Review, Deana James, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, Zebra Lovegram

Historical Romance Review: Sea Jewel by Penelope Neri

June 30, 2021May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon 2 Comments

After deliberation, I decided to give Sea Jewel by Penelope Neri five stars, although I do so with some high degree of reluctance. The explanation why follows. Read more

5 stars, Bodice Ripper, Book Review, Historical Romance, Historical Romance Review, Kensington, Pino, Romance, Zebra Lovegram

Covers of the Week #12

June 29, 2021April 13, 2022 jacquelinediaz 7 Comments

For the week of June 28 to July 4, 2021, enjoy this small sample of funny or awful-looking covers from romances from four different artists. Including Pino, DonBerco, & Robert Maguire. Read more

Cover Artists, Covers of the Week, Pino, Romance

Historical Romance Review: Dakota Dreams by Constance O’Banyon

June 21, 2021May 21, 2022 Blue Falcon 1 Comment

This review is of “Dakota Dreams”, a standalone by Constance O’Banyon. The book starts on November 1, 1833. On this day, in a blizzard, two lives will end and one will begin. 3 stars Read more

3 stars, Book Review, Historical Romance Review, Pino, Romance

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